Minimal domain size necessary to simulate the field enhancement factor numerically with specified precision

In the literature about field emission, finite elements and finite differences techniques are being increasingly employed to understand the local field enhancement factor (FEF) via numerical simulations. In theoretical analyses, it is usual to consider the emitter as isolated, i.e, a single tip field emitter infinitely far from any physical boundary, except the substrate. However, simulation domains must be finite and the simulation boundaries influences the electrostatic potential distribution. In either finite elements or finite differences techniques, there is a systematic error ($\epsilon$) in the FEF caused by the finite size of the simulation domain. It is attempting to oversize the domain to avoid any influence from the boundaries, however, the computation might become memory and time consuming, especially in full three dimensional analyses. In this work, we provide the minimum width and height of the simulation domain necessary to evaluate the FEF with $\epsilon$ at the desired tolerance. The minimum width ($A$) and height ($B$) are given relative to the height of the emitter ($h$), that is, $(A/h)_{min} \times (B/h)_{min}$ necessary to simulate isolated emitters on a substrate. We also provide the $(B/h)_{min}$ to simulate arrays and the $(A/h)_{min}$ to simulate an emitter between an anode-cathode planar capacitor. At last, we present the formulae to obtain the minimal domain size to simulate clusters of emitters with precision $\epsilon_{tol}$. Our formulae account for ellipsoidal emitters and hemisphere on cylindrical posts. In the latter case, where an analytical solution is not known at present, our results are expected to produce an unprecedented numerical accuracy in the corresponding local FEF

Directional selection effects on patterns of phenotypic (co)variation in wild populations.

Phenotypic (co)variation is a prerequisite for evolutionary change, and understanding how (co)variation evolves is of crucial importance to the biological sciences. Theoretical models predict that under directional selection, phenotypic (co)variation should evolve in step with the underlying adaptive landscape, increasing the degree of correlation among co-selected traits as well as the amount of genetic variance in the direction of selection. Whether either of these outcomes occurs in natural populations is an open question and thus an important gap in evolutionary theory. Here, we documented changes in the phenotypic (co)variation structure in two separate natural populations in each of two chipmunk species (Tamias alpinus and T. speciosus) undergoing directional selection. In populations where selection was strongest (those of T. alpinus), we observed changes, at least for one population, in phenotypic (co)variation that matched theoretical expectations, namely an increase of both phenotypic integration and (co)variance in the direction of selection and a re-alignment of the major axis of variation with the selection gradient

Higgs Sector of the Left-Right Model with Explicit CP Violation

We explore the Higgs sector of the Minimal Left-Right (LR) Model based on the gauge group SU(2)_L x SU(2)_R x U(1)_{B-L} with explicit CP violation in the Higgs potential. Since flavour-changing neutral current experiments and the small scale of neutrino masses both place stringent constraints on the Higgs potential, we seek to determine whether minima of the Higgs potential exist that are consistent with current experimental bounds. We focus on the case in which the right-handed symmetry-breaking scale is only ``moderately'' large, of order 15-50 TeV. Unlike the case in which the Higgs potential is CP-invariant, the CP noninvariant case does yield viable scenarios, although these require a small amount of fine-tuning. We consider a LR model supplemented by an additional U(1) horizontal symmetry, which results in a Higgs sector consistent with current experimental constraints and a realistic spectrum of neutrino masses.Comment: 20 pages, 2 figure

Diffraction Resistant Scalar Beams Generated by a Parabolic Reflector and a Source of Spherical Waves

In this work, we propose the generation of diffraction resistant beams by using a parabolic reflector and a source of spherical waves positioned at a point slightly displaced from its focus (away from the reflector). In our analysis, considering the reflector dimensions much greater than the wavelength, we describe the main characteristics of the resulting beams, showing their properties of resistance to the diffraction effects. Due to its simplicity, this method may be an interesting alternative for the generation of long range diffraction resistant waves.Comment: 22 pages, 9 figures, Applied Optics, 201